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New Executive Director Rick Huisman.
Club members planting their Summer garden at the Steil Club.
Club members hanging out in the Steil Club gymnasium.
Rick Huisman, a former executive for Eastern Floral and Major League Baseball pitcher, was named Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth (BGCGRYC).
Huisman joins the BGCGRYC as it prepares to open its new Club inside the Paul I. Phillips Recreation Center, 726 Madison Ave. SE. A grand opening celebration is slated for June 5 with programming set to launch on June 11.
“I am thrilled to lead a team of passionate staff and volunteers,” Huisman said. “Every child needs a safe, comfortable place where they can nurture their talents, meet new friends, study or just play a game.”
Huisman, 43, previously served as Chief Operating Officer at Eastern Floral, where he helped manage significant growth of his family’s business. He has served as a committee member for the Boys & Girls Club of Holland and as a board member for The Chamber Grand Haven Spring Lake Ferrysberg.
After being selected as a third round pick by the San Francisco Giants in the 1990, amateur draft Huisman spent 12 years as a professional baseball player. His MLB career included pitching 29 games for the Kansas City Royals in 1995 and 1996. During one of the Royals’ community outreach efforts, Huisman learned how Boys & Girls Clubs provide a positive influence for kids.
“Rick is the perfect fit to lead this organization as it enters an exciting new era in its long history serving the children of Grand Rapids,” said Grand Rapids Police Chief and BGCGRYC Board President Kevin Belk. “He brings not only a great business acumen, but a passion for our mission of helping kids develop their character and talents to become the future leaders of our community.”
BGCGRYC employs a growing staff of more than 25 people and dozens of volunteers who serve more than 2,000 children each year. The Clubs offer programming in the arts, health and life skills, sports, fitness, and education, career, character and leadership development..
Huisman succeeds Dave Emenheiser, who had served as Interim Executive Director of the Clubs over the past year. Emenheiser recently accepted a new position at Amway but remains a member of the BGCGRYC Board of Directors.
In addition to the Club at the Paul I. Phillips Center, Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth offers year-round programming at the Steil Club, 235 Straight Ave. NW, and the Seidman Club, 139 Crofton St. SE. BGCGRYC’s Camp O’Malley, a summer camp along the banks of the Thornapple River in Caledonia Township, celebrates its 70th year of healthy outdoor adventure on June 11.
Rick Huisman lives in Holland with his wife, Nicole, and three children, Jack, 13, Mason, 10, and Avery, 7.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth
Founded in 1938 by Grand Rapids Superintendent of Police Frank O’Malley, Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth engages youth in building positive and meaningful relationships with police officers, staff and adults through programs in the areas of recreation, education, leadership development, healthy life skills, arts, education and positive community services. Boys & Girls Clubs offer programs and services that promote and enhance development by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence. www.bgcgrandrapids.org
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